We tend to get so busy in life, even with the best of intentions, that we miss out on miracle moments.
We paid for our meal and were waiting for the cashier to call our ticket number so we could get our food. I noticed a gentleman behind me paying for his food with coins, and by the looks of it, he was going through a difficult time in his life. I never want to judge someone by their appearance, but by all given observations, this man was in need.
For some strange, impulsive reason, when the cashier asked me, “Would you like to add two apple pies to your order for a dollar?” I excitedly replied, “Yes!” If you have known me for any length of time, you know I am a tad overweight, and the sound of apple pies when you are hungry? Well, that was just delightful.
Just outside the windows of the fast food restaurant we could see the beautiful mountain views and heard the whizzing of cars as they passed by. In the background, there was some type of road work being done, and the temperatures were comfortable.
There was a quiet voice in my head telling me to help this man, but I was too busy scurrying my own family to a table. He was probably in his mid to late 60s. His jeans were heavily worn, a few tears in them, and his shirt was soiled. His personal grooming had taken a backseat to his desire to eat, and his shoes were in terrible condition.
“I will have two cheeseburgers off the dollar menu and a water please.” The man spoke politely to the cashier.
We sat down and ate our food and were finishing up when I realized I had ignored that still, small voice in my head leading me to help this gentleman.
Now, this isn’t some whirlwind of a story where someone receives a new house, a new car, or is given all the money they will ever need. In fact, I have been quite reluctant to share this whisper of a story with you, but one thing keeps loitering in my mind.
How many times do we ignore the still, small voice leading us to help someone in some way, but are either too busy to listen to that voice, or we think maybe we are just hearing things, and ignore it?
That day, I didn’t buy the man a meal. I didn’t give him any money. But, as we were leaving, and after my family had walked out the door, I walked up to the man and said, “Sir, I have two apple pies and, to be honest, I don’t need both of them. Why don’t you take one?”
He replied with a gentle voice, “No, you take it with you. You may need it.”
The former police officer in me said, “Maybe he is a serial killer. Maybe he is right. Just take the stupid apple pie and leave.”
“No sir, I will probably just throw it away, plus, I really just want you to have it.”
The smile on his face as he took that very small, insignificant token that another human being noticed him, told me all I needed to know.
We tend to get so busy in life, even with the best of intentions, that we miss out on miracle moments. The next time you hear that voice leading you to do a good deed, pray for someone, or leading you to do something, take the time to listen to it. Oh, and if it is just an apple pie you have, don’t discount that!
Image Credit: Pixabay